Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Trip from China, TX to Fort Worth, TX
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
5h 35m
Distance
310 mi
499 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$42
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 22m
★
6 AM
5h 36m
8 AM
6h 2m
10 AM
5h 45m
12 PM
5h 42m
3 PM
5h 46m
5 PM
6h 1m
8 PM
5h 28m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
China, TX
Thomas balabaud
Fort Worth, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
China, TX to Fort Worth, TX is 310 miles and takes about 5h 35m via I 45 and US 287, with a fuel budget near $45 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip takes you across Texas, starting in the Great Plains region and ending in the same area. Expect a straightforward drive that's almost entirely on major highways, making it a convenient option for a single-day trip. With a recommended one-day duration, you can easily complete this route without needing an overnight stay.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
155 miles from China, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 48m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 45 | 173.6 mi | 2h 57m |
| US 287 | 57.6 mi | 1h 5m |
| US 90 | 33.9 mi | 38m |
| East Grand Parkway North | 32.5 mi | 34m |
| West Clayton Street | 5.1 mi | 6m |
| South Freeway | 3.4 mi | 3m |
| Interstate 45 North Frontage Road | 2 mi | 3m |
| North Cleveland Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 45
— 173.6 mi, about 2h 57m
Traffic on I-45
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 14 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
1 PM
~1,496 veh/hr typical · worst 2,185
Quietest
1 AM
~238 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
6.3×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 45 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between China, TX and Fort Worth, TX.
1
Start on North Broadway
189 ft
·
10 sec
·
North Broadway
2
Turn right onto US 90
34 mi
·
38 min
·
US 90
3
Turn right onto TX 321
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
·
North Cleveland Street
4
Turn left onto FM 1960
5.1 mi
·
6 min
·
West Clayton Street
5
Turn right onto East Grand Parkway North
0.1 mi
·
14 sec
·
East Grand Parkway North
6
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
35 sec
7
Merge onto TX 99 Toll
32 mi
·
34 min
·
East Grand Parkway North
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
45 sec
Toward Houston, Dallas
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Turn right onto Interstate 45 North Frontage Road
2.0 mi
·
3 min
·
Interstate 45 North Frontage Road
Use the right lane.
10
Take the ramp
0.1 mi
·
8 sec
Toward I 45 North
11
Merge onto I 45
174 mi
·
2 hr 57 min
·
I 45
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit onto US 287
58 mi
·
1 hr 5 min
·
US 287
Exit 247
Toward US 287 North: Waxahachie, Fort Worth
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
Exit 437
Toward I 35W South, I 35W North: Waco, Denton
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi
·
48 sec
Toward I 35W North: Denton
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi
·
14 sec
Toward I 35W North: Fort Worth
16
Merge onto I 35W
3.2 mi
·
3 min
·
South Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
Exit 49A
Toward Allen Avenue
Use the slight right lane.
18
Turn straight onto South Freeway
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
·
South Freeway
19
Turn left onto East Allen Avenue
210 ft
·
12 sec
·
East Allen Avenue
20
Turn left onto South Freeway
258 ft
·
5 sec
·
South Freeway
21
Arrive at destination
South Freeway
Trip Plan
Given the 5-hour 35-minute drive time, starting your trip in the morning is your best bet for arriving in Fort Worth with plenty of daylight. The route is predominantly highway, so plan for a single significant stop if you need to break up the drive, perhaps around the halfway point. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 173.6-mile stretch on I 45, as services might be more spread out. The fuel cost is estimated at $45, so budget accordingly before you set off.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 155 miles from China, TX, or about 2h 48m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 173.6 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 68 miles or 1h 17m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 155 miles or 2h 48m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 31m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Fort Worth, TX than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving China, TX so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from China, TX
This is one driving day of about 310 miles and 5h 35m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 68 miles from China, TX.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 45 for about 173.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
155 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 68 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 155 miles from China, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 45 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 173.6 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Stops Along Your Drive
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Road Ranger
0.1 mi from route
TA Express
0.1 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Navarro County Northbound Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
TA Express
0.2 mi from route
Buc-ee's
0.2 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.2 mi from route
Walker County Southbound Rest Area
0.3 mi from route
Walker County Northbound Rest Area
0.3 mi from route
Navarro County Southbound Rest Area
0.3 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.3 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.3 mi from route
Rest Area
0.8 mi from route
Buc-ee's
2.4 mi from route
Candy Cane Park
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Early in the drive, right off the route
Early stretch
0.4 mi from route
~1 min detour
Conroe, Texas
Hours: 9 am–11 pm
+19365223804
Visit websiteForest Park Miniature Railroad
4.4
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
2.2 mi from route
~5 min detour
Fort Worth, Texas
Hours: 10 am–5 pm
+18179665509
Visit websiteNTER - The Great Escape
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
3 mi from route
~8 min detour
Waxahachie, Texas
Hours: 5–9 pm
+12149801053
Visit websiteDennis Johnston Park
4.8
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Early in the drive, ~11 min detour
Early stretch
4.4 mi from route
~11 min detour
Spring, Texas
Hours: 7 am–10 pm
+17132740930
Visit websiteCarl Barton Jr Park
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Early in the drive, ~11 min detour
Early stretch
4.4 mi from route
~11 min detour
Conroe, Texas
Hours: 6 am–8:30 pm
+19365223000
Visit websiteFort Worth Herd
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, ~12 min detour
Home stretch
4.7 mi from route
~12 min detour
Fort Worth, Texas
Hours: 11:30 am–4 pm
+18173364373
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 185 decision points cluster between mile 72 and 309.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
72 mi into trip
|
~1h 21m in
Take the exit toward Houston, Dallas
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward Houston, Dallas
8
248 mi into trip
|
~4h 23m in
|
US 287
Take the exit onto US 287 toward US 287 North: Waxahachie, Fort Worth
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 247
Toward US 287 North: Waxahachie, Fort Worth
8
305.6 mi into trip
|
~5h 29m in
Take the exit toward I 35W South, I 35W North: Waco, Denton
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 437
Toward I 35W South, I 35W North: Waco, Denton
7
305.8 mi into trip
|
~5h 29m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 35W North: Denton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 35W North: Denton
7
309.6 mi into trip
|
~5h 34m in
Take the exit toward Allen Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 49A
Toward Allen Avenue
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$42.46 one way
$84.92 round trip
$3.48/gal
25.4 MPG avg
109 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.89 | $47.43 | $94.86 |
| premium | $4.23 | $51.56 | $103.13 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $58.53 | $117.07 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$42
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$67–$92
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 108.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $33 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 93 | 1 | $32.55 | $14.88 |
| Efficient EV | 77.5 | 0 | $27.13 | $12.40 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 124 | 1 | $43.40 | $19.84 |
Gas CO2
108 kg
EV CO2
36 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
China, TX
Late night in China on Sunday
Local time
3:15 AM
CDT
Current temp
92°F
Mostly Sunny
S 5 mph
6% chance
Live forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 1:37PM CDT until July 17 at 2:15PM CDT by NWS San Angelo TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 1:26PM CDT until July 17 at 3:45PM CDT by NWS San Angelo TX
Destination
Fort Worth, TX
Late night in Fort Worth on Sunday
Local time
3:15 AM
CDT
Current temp
92°F
Partly Sunny
S 10 to 15 mph
11% chance
Live forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 1:37PM CDT until July 17 at 2:15PM CDT by NWS San Angelo TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 1:26PM CDT until July 17 at 3:45PM CDT by NWS San Angelo TX
100°F
Italy, TX
155 mi in
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
5h 35m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
What kind of drive is this?
You'll be on highways for 98% of this 310-mile drive, meaning you'll spend most of your time on well-maintained roads with relatively few exits. The longest continuous stretch on a single highway is 173.6 miles, all on I 45. After that, you'll transition to US 287 and US 90 for the remainder of the trip. Expect to encounter some urban merging as you approach Fort Worth.
98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 173.6 mi on I 45.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 45 and US 287. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 72 miles in.
Driving Effort
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 310 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 72 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 248 miles (US 287): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 305.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
652 ft
43 ft
Total Climb
886 ft
Total Descent
276 ft
Highest Point
652 ft
~310 mi in
Elevation Range
610 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between China, TX and Fort Worth, TX, road signs point toward Houston and Dallas.
Houston
72 mi in
|
~1h 21m
Dallas
72 mi in
|
~1h 21m
About the Cities
Starting in China, TX
Full guide →China is a city in Jefferson County, in the Gulf Coast region of Texas.
Arriving in Fort Worth, TX
Full guide →“Panther city” · Founded 1849
Fort Worth is a city in the Prairies and Lakes region of Texas. With a population of approximately 1,020,000, it is Texas' 5th largest city. It is part of the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, which has a population exceeding 6 million. Sometimes referred to as Cowtown, it is by far closer to its cowboy roots than neighboring Dallas. This article also covers North Richland Hills, a neighboring community.
Top landmarks
- • Amon Carter Museum of American Art — art museum in Fort Worth, Texas
- • Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth — art museum
- • St. Patrick Cathedral in Fort Worth — church located in Fort Worth, Texas
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 35m. Total distance: 310 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 35m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (98%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 173.6 miles on I 45. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 18 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Fort Worth, TX before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. There are 18 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 72 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 248 miles (US 287): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 305.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.6 hours each way, a round trip means 11.2 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Fort Worth, TX before the return drive.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, USGS 3DEP for elevation, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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